Hide columns to all but one user?

[Guest]

Is it possible to restrict the view of several columns to one user? I have a
spreadsheet that the whole team enters data into. The manager wants columns
in the same spreadsheet where she can enter confidential information about
each project, so she should be the only person who can view or unhide or
ungroup those columns or something. Any suggestions?

 

[Harald Staff]

Here is what will happen. Test this in a blank new workbook:

Enter in the following cells.
A1: You're the
B1: stupidest
C1: man !

Rightclick columnheader B. Choose Hide. Now it says "You're the man !",
which is far nicer. Go menu Tools > Protection, protect the sheet with a
long complex password, mixed case, numbers and letters, at least 10
characters long. This is as safe as you possibly get. Celebrate with a
coffee.

Now Select cells A1:C1 with your mouse. Click the Copy button.
Go to another worksheet. Click any cell. Click the Paste button.

HTH. Best wishes Harald

 

[Ron de Bruin]

Another way is this

Press F5
Enter B1
OK
Look in the formula bar now

You can use the down arrow to see the cells below

 

[Dave Peterson]

The bad news is that worksheet/workbook protection (under tools|protection) in
excel is not made for this kind of thing. It can be broken in a matter of
moments.

If you really have secure data that other shouldn't see, don't put it in
excel--or don't share that workbook with others.

 

[Dave Peterson]

One more.
Tools|Options|transition tab
check "transition navigation keys"

Start a new worksheet (even in a new workbook)
type = (just an equal sign) in A1 of that new worksheet

go back to that worksheet with the "hidden" columns.

Oh, oh!

 

[Guest]

Thank to all for your responses. Any other suggestions? I'm trying to avoid
having to duplicate the information in another worksheet for the manager. Can
I protect a tab, and then in that sheet have references to the other cells?

 

[Dave Peterson]

There's nothing you can do that will stop any dedicated user from finding
information in that workbook if they can open it.

I wouldn't put it in a workbook I shared with others if those people shouldn't
see it. (There's nothing that will make the security tighter.)

 

[Harald Staff]

No. Nonononono.

General rule is this: A user can access any information within an Excel file
that you give her. If you don't want her to see some mystery thing, do not
leave this thing in the file. That simple, that difficult.

HTH. Best wishes Harald